Michigan's legislature has passed a bill that would essentially privatize all of Michigan's inland lakes and streams. Unless you can afford to buy lakefront property, your access to Michigan's beautiful waterways will be severely restricted by this bill. But there is still time to stop this effort. That's why I created a petition to Governor Rick Snyder on SignOn.org, which says:

I urge you to veto Senate Bill 778. SB 778 advocates elimination of valuable public access, rather than pensive regulation. It may also decrease revenue for businesses dependent on tourism of Michigan's many inland lakes and streams, a detriment to the Pure Michigan campaign.

This overreaching legislation will hinder local municipalities' ability to manage public road ends in a manner appropriate to the local area.

Governor Snyder, Senate Bill 778 is bad for Michigan. Please protect public access to these vital natural resources and the small business that benefit from them. Do not allow this bill to become law.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Will you sign the petition? Click here to add your name, and then pass it along to your friends:

The text above was written by Chris Bowen, not by MoveOn staff, and MoveOn is not responsible for the content. This email was sent through MoveOn's secure system, and your information has been kept private.

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AN ACT to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “An act to protect the environment and natural resources of the state; to codify, revise, consolidate, and classify laws relating to the environment and natural resources of the state; to regulate the discharge of certain substances into the environment; to regulate the use of certain lands, waters, and other natural resources of the state; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials; to provide for certain charges, fees, assessments, and donations; to provide certain appropriations; to prescribe penalties and provide remedies; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 30111b.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

Sec. 30111b. (1) A public road end shall not be used for any of the following unless a recorded deed, recorded easement, or other recorded dedication expressly provides otherwise:

(a) Construction, installation, maintenance, or use of boat hoists or boat anchorage devices.

(b) Mooring or docking of a vessel between 12 midnight and sunrise.

(c) Any activity that obstructs ingress to or egress from the inland lake or stream.

(2) A public road end shall not be used for the construction, installation, maintenance, or use of a dock or wharf other than a single seasonal public dock or wharf that is authorized by the local unit of government, subject to any permit required under this part. This subsection does not prohibit any use that is expressly authorized by a recorded deed, recorded easement, or other recorded dedication. This subsection does not permit any use that exceeds the uses authorized by a recorded deed, recorded easement, other recorded dedication, or a court order.

(3) The local unit of government may prohibit a use of a public road end that violates this section.

(4) A person who violates subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00. Each 24-hour period in which a violation exists constitutes a separate violation of this section. A peace officer may issue an appearance ticket as authorized by sections 9c to 9g of chapter IV of the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 764.9c to 764.9g, to a person who violates subsection (1) or (2).

(5) This section does not prohibit a person or agency from commencing a civil action for conduct that violates this section.

(6) As used in this section:

(a) “Local unit of government” means the county, township, city, or village with jurisdiction over a public road.

(b) “Public road” means a county road or a township, city, or village street that is open for use by the public.

(c) “Public road end” means the terminus of a public road at an inland lake or stream.

Just because the public road ends at the lake doesn't mean that anyone can store their boat there.

Yep, that pretty much sums it up.

I get these crap emails daily. Most have a link to a petition. I wonder how many of their followers get the email and sign the petition which is based on lies. Any politician or organization getting a petition from moveon.org should assume it is worthless.

we have a place on a lake. the "law" discussed would prohibit people from putting up docks on public access areas. if you want to access a private lake buy propety on the lake. if you want access to a public lake, use the public access. the whole idea pf a multi boat dock on at the end of a public road on a lake means polluting the concept of private propety owenership. you want access, pay the price for property like everyone else. otherwise, use an established public access like everyone else amd take your boat home at the end of the day.